Joseph Brant was born on the banks of the Ohio River in 1742. He was the stepson of Brant Canagaraduncka, an influential Mohawk leader. In 1753, Joseph Brant's sister, Molly, met and married William Johnson, a British agent for Indian Affairs. Their relationship would have a profound impact on Brant's life.

Joseph Brant was 13 when he first met William Johnson. Following fighting in the war against the French, Brant spent much of his time at the Indian Charity School in Lebanon, Connecticut. There he learned how to speak English and studied Western history. He left school after a year to do some work as a translator for the Anglican Missionary. Soon after, he began working for Johnson, as his secretary.

Joseph Brant quickly became the most reliable interpreter in the region. In 1774, following the death of William Johnson, Brant became secretary to Johnson's nephew and successor - Guy Johnson. Brant soon began playing a crucial role in Mohawk-British relations. He travelled to England with Johnson to negotiate the return of Mohawk land. In exchange, they offered native support throughout the U.S. Revolution. The English received Brant well for various reasons including his familiarity with Western culture and his command of the English language.

By 1776, Joseph Brant became the principal War Chief of the Mohawk. At the same time, the British appointed him captain of the allied native forces. Brant spent much of his time trying to amass the support of his people, but many natives resented his fidelity to the British Crown. In fact, revisionists often hold Brant accountable for dividing his people and destroying the Six Nations. While nations such as the Mohawks and the Seneca sided with Britain; the Oneida and the Tuscarora supported the Americans throughout most of the Revolutionary period.

When the American Revolution ended in 1784, the British defeat included the cessation of all Six Nations territory to the Americans. Brant faced the challenge of finding a new homeland for his people. Frederick Haldimand, Governor in Chief of what was to become Canada, granted Brant and his people land along the Grand River. Haldimand left office before the land grant was legal.

Joseph Brant lived out the rest of his days with his third wife, Catherine Croghan in the Grand River region. He spent much of his time trying to establish the Mohawks legal title to the land. He also worked on translating the Bible into Mohawk and raising his seven children. He died on November 24, 1807.